Welcoming In the Bag, our latest blog series to Agent Mystery Case. It’s all about catching up with the people behind our favourite brands and sneaking a peek inside their bags.
Following our recent collaboration and giveaway with Sash & Belle, it was only fitting that Kristy the owner behind this gorgeous and affordable handbag label, be our first cab bag off the rank.
Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and your business?
I am 36, happily married with two gorgeous children aged 6 & 3 and live in Canberra. I am also the creator and owner of the Sash & Belle handbag label. I created and launched my own handbag collection in February 2014. I had a passion for handbags and wanted to start my own business but didn’t want to sell someone else’s brand/creation.
The Sash & Belle look is classic, functional and stylish. Most of my handbags are crafted from polyurethane (PU – a type of vinyl or faux leather). I made the decision to stock mostly PU bags as it is hard to find stylish high quality non-leather handbags. I recently introduced a limited edition leather range – which has been popular as the bags range from $75 – $110, soooo affordable! I create two Sash & Belle collections per year, autumn/winter and spring/summer. You can view the range online here.
So far it has been fun and challenging, with two children and a mortgage I couldn’t quit my day job so I work four days a week in the Public Service, but one day soon I hope to say I work exclusively on Sash & Belle!
Canberrans have been very supportive and are loving the quality of Sash & Belle bags for the price, and now I would love to let the rest of Australia know about them. We offer free shipping so it is easy to get your own bag.
I also have a blog, it has fashion tips, parenting stories and business tips, pretty much whatever I feel like writing about. I love to share photos of clothes I have found and match them with my handbag collection, you might get some great outfit ideas.
If your everyday bag could talk, what would it say about you? How much does it weigh and are you game to share a photo of the contents?
My bag would say ‘essentials and organised’. I love functional bags that have compartments to separate my things and that is why I am using the Sash & Belle “Kerry” in Magenta. The weight of my bag varies too, it can be super light when it is just me and I am heading to the shops or it can be super heavy when I am going to work or on the weekend when I am also carrying my kids things.
The picture of the contents of my bag is when it is super full. I am very lucky because I have a huge range of handbags to choose from – I change them with my mood or activity!
What is your idea of the perfect date night?
I am picked up in a limo, whisked to the airport where I board a private jet with my husband to France or Italy (this is a very long date night) I am then wined and dined on a very large yacht on the Mediterranean and treated to massages and pampering.
However when I wake from that wonderful dream what I do love is good food and good champagne (Veuve Cliquot in particular) with my husband. We love to try new restaurants but with two little ones date nights are a little rare and valuable so we certainly make the most of it.
What is on your Worth Casing list?
I love people casing my Sash & Belle collection and telling everyone what they thought, people listen to their friends about good products they have found. If I had to pick something else that I am interested in at the moment it would be casing what will be the next big fashion piece for summer, this winter we saw the poncho/blanket cape and flat ankle boot – what will be the piece to have this summer?
If you had a theme song what would it be and why?
I don’t have a theme song, I sing along to anything I like but don’t take the words in that much. The music I listen to changes with my mood though, if I am feeling serious or nostalgic then I love a Beyoncé ballad like Halo. If I am happy and in a party mood anything that has got a beat and in the top 40 is for me, I love to dance and sing (but I didn’t say I was good at it). If I want to chill out, lounge music is my choice.
More ways to case
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Have you discovered Sash & Belle? Have you ever weighed your everyday handbag?
I’ve never weighed my handbag but most days I’m assuming it would have a two man lift restriction on it, it really is that heavy.
Mine is generally around the 15 to 20 kg mark. I have no idea why, I feel the need to carry so much stuff.
What a great series concept Raychael! Lovely to meet Kristy! I so admire her courage and determination to start a business based on her passion while still working as a public servant! Bravo! I have opened a new window to her Sash & Belle handbags and cannot wait to have a good old poke around. Wonder which handbag will be my favourite! 🙂
Have fun browsing Min. With free postage Australia wide, it’s my new go to site for gifts for my female interstate family and friends. I’m a bit partial to anything magenta and love their limited edition leather range as well.
Ooh I love that pink one at the bottom. Especially the bow. My handbags are all massive. I don’t think I ever graduated from my nappy bag days. I have so many ‘essential’ items I must need carry!
My nappy bag days are well and truly behind me but that doesn’t stop me feeling the need to pack almost everything in my everyday bag. Today’s bag weighs 21 kilos.
well cased! thanks raych! … good on kirsty for starting up her business! … she has an interesting selection!
I usually use an across body bag as I don’t want anything too heavy!
but always have the large tote in the boot for purchases!
I love the bag within the bag idea!
love m:)X
My everyday bag is ridiculously heavy. I really need to have a rethink and not carry so much stuff with me.
Oh, I really love stories about Women taking a passion and making it a business! Am going to check this brand out right now. Right now my hand bag is also a pumping bag, nappy bag and gym bag combo! I need to sort myself out 🙂
My nappy bag days are well and truly behind me Sarah but I still somehow manage to take everything, apart from the kitchen sink with me each day.
Oh wow…not a single soggy tissue or receipt in sight. My bags are always full of crap. That is one seriously organised bag. Loving Sash & Belle, just hopped over to check out your blog Kristy. Thanks for sharing your bag. Bron x
I normally change bags to match my outfit fairly regularly but I do have a favourite that is now in desperate need of a clean (inside and out).
Oh I LOL’d at that Dora the Explorer drink bottle. My three year old would LOVE that!
I love the Dora drink bottle. I really need a new drink bottle myself, although I probably should wait until the next event or goodies bag. They always seem to have a branded drink bottle or two.
What a great idea for a series, Raychael! Good on you Sash for chasing your dreams. I also am a public servant and I’m hoping and praying for you that you get to escape and run your business full time 🙂 As a vegetarian, I love that the majority of your bags aren’t leather. Will definitely like your facebook page. Good luck!
Thanks Renee. You will love Sash and Belle. Such a great range.
The Kerry bag in Magenta was the one I picked when you were running the giveaway! Still love it.
I believe that has almost sold out. It was one of my favourites too.
I love the pinky red one at the bottom. I’m a sucker for hand bags and have so many in my cupboard, but then when I switch over I always leave something vital out of the next one because it gets stuck in some deep dark corner – things like a lipstick or a cable tie (which I always like to carry!). Yes, I’m the same, everything but the kitchen sink in my bags.
I do the same thing. I have a huge range of bags and tend to pick them to match or clash with the outfit. I’m always leaving items behind.
Oh a new handbag designer to peek at! I love it and I love your new series. I so admire these ladies who get into the bag designing business. I would love to do this one day but sadly I don’t know where to put a foot in the whole concept to creation of this industry.
Oh nice! I don’t really use handbags – I’m not a bag person. I have a large purse thing that fits my money, card-holder, phone, sunnies etc in.
I probably need to think about getting something though as I’m starting part-time work and will want to take a few bits and pieces and hardly need a backpack (which I used when I worked FT and had to change shoes etc).
Deb
Love this “in the bag” interviews idea”!
Yay Kristy!!
Yay Raych.
Good job …